Fuel burner



Aug. 17, 1937. H'. v. STURTEVANT FUEL BURNER Filed Nov. 24, 1934 2 sheets-sheet 1 v H. V. STURTEVANT v FUEL BURNER Aug. 17, 1937.

Filed NOV. 24, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet' 2 Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNHTED STATE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to auto-matic fuel burners and more particularly to fuel burning mechanism which shall be operated by a fluid pressure motor to supply the necessary fuel and air to the burner for combustion purposes.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an automatic fuel burning unit which shall be operated by a uid pressure motor such as a turbine or steam engine requiring a relatively high pressure source of steam to economically operate the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure motor of the character designated which shall be operated from a source of high pressure fluid and exhaust into a low pressure heat generator wherein the heat may be conserved and employed for other purposes in connection with the fuel burner installation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fuel burner having a high pressure generator located adjacent thereto and operated thereby and a low pressure generator heated by said burner for supplying heat to a conventional type of heating system and auxiliary services such as hot water systems, cooking systems, refrigeration and air conditioning systems sometimes connected and associated with such heating systems.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steam engine or turbine operated fuel burner for a low pressure boiler and heating system of the character designated in which the fluid pressure for operating the turbine or engine is generated by a high pressure boiler located in the low pressure boiler furnace and maintained constant by a regulating mechanism under the control of the high pressure boiler, the low pressure boiler, the temperature of the service water heating system and the room temperature supplied by the low pressure boiler, whichever shall rst demand heat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fuel burner apparatus in which the high pressure boiler for operating the fuel burner shall be moved into and out of proximity of the hre in response to the pressure generated by the high pressure boiler.

A further object of the invention is to provide a movable baille which shall be operated in response to the pressure generated in the high pressure boiler to control the heat admitted to the high pressure boiler from the fuel burner.

These and other objects of therinvention will be more manifest from the following specifica-v tion and drawings and particularly set forth in the claims:

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic View partially in section of a heating boiler installation and fuel burner constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a movably mounted vhigh pressure boiler for the power installation shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view partially in section of a fuel burner employing a movable baflie for controlling the temperature and pressure of the high pressure boiler shown in Fig. 1.

A fuel burner and heating boiler installation constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention contemplates a self-contained Aunit wherein anV ordinary low pressure, hot water or steam boiler furnace ID for household heating system indicated by the radiator I is fired by an automatic fuel burner II. VThis fuel burner may be of the ordinary oil burner type or it may be a solid fuel burner of the Stoker type adapted to be installed under the boiler and connected therewith. `Whichever type of burner is employed, my invention contemplates the use of a fluid pressure motor l2 hereinafter called a turbine, forV operating the same` to supply fuel and air as well understood in the arti In the preferred illustrative embodiment of my invention, the turbine I2 operates a conventional type of underfeed stoker indicated by the hopper I3 and air feeding device indicated by a fan I3'.

Fluid pressure for the turbine is supplied by a high pressure generator I4, located -in the heating boiler furnace It and directly over (or adjacent to) the fire portion of the burner II and in close proximity thereto. This generator comprises a heating coil -I 5 connected to a boiler reservoir l, High pressure steam generated in this boiler is conducted to the turbine I2 by means of a pipe connection I'I, chamber I8, minimum pressure control valve I9, load control valve and a pipe 2I.

The high pressure boiler being in close proximity to the fuel burner II, it will generate and maintain a source of high pressure steam for operating the turbine I2. The excess steaml not required for the operation of the fuel burner may exhaust directly into any convenient auxiliary heat consuming device such as a hot water service system 22, or it may exhaust into the low pressure boiler furnace I0, depending upon the load condition imposed upon the burner II as indicated by the various control agencies hereinafter described. Although not illustrated, it may be desirable to conduct the exhaust steam from the turbine I2 to a suitable condenser located at the intake of the burner fan so as to preheat the air of combustion, or the condenser may be located on the outside of the building so as to waste the heat of exhaust and save the condensate for return to the high pressure generator. Whichever form of treatment for the exhaust is employed, the fuel burner and operating mechanism therefor is designed to provide a selfcontained unit wherein all available heat shall be utilized in a most reliable and eicient manner by the associated auxiliaries Whenever they can make use of it. The high pressure conduit is provided with safety valve I8 which may exhaust into the low pressurek boiler by a conduit I1 and thereby conserve any excess steam for heating purposes in the system.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention the service hot water system 22 is provided with aA conventional supply inlet 23 and an outlet 24 to faucets, not shown. The temperature of the Water in this heater is maintained by conducting the exhaust from the turbine I2 through conduit 25, control valve 26 and coil sections 21 located in the heater 22.

Associated with the control valve 26 for admitting exhaust steam to the hot Water heater 22, is a valve 28 connected thereto by a link 29. The valve 28 is located in a conduit 30 which also connects with the turbine exhaust pipe 25 and the low pressure boiler I0, above the Water line thereof. The valve 26 is under the direct control of a temperature regulator 3|, and connected thereto by a chain connection 32. The arrangement of the valve elements 26 and 28 is such that when one is closed, the other is open, thereby providing that exhaust steam shall be first admitted to the hot water heater 22 Whenever it shall demand heat as indicated by the temperature regulator 3l. A spring 28' is provided to assist the connection 32 in maintaining the desired operation of these Valves.`

The return of condensate from the heater coils 21 is automatically taken care of in any suitable manner, as for example by a float trap 33, conduit 34, and condensate float tank 35. Condensate is returned to the high pressure boiler I6 through conduit 46 and check valve 41 by means of suitable Water pump driven by an auxiliary engine or turbine pumpr40. Proper Water level in high pressure boiler I6 and float chamber I8 is maintained by means of a float 39 Which automatically admits steam through valve 4I and conduit 42 to auxiliary steam driven boiler feed pump 40. Drainage from steam pipe I1 is also brought back to the high pressure boiler by means of conduit 31, trap 36, and condensate tank 35. Steam fromkthe auxiliary engine is exhausted into conduit V25 by a conduit 43 and thence to Water heating coil v21 or to low pressure boiler I0 as required. VWater supply from any outsidesource, indicated by the numeral 44, is supplied to the condensate tank 35 by a float valve 45Kthereby always insuring an adequate Ysupply of water to the high pressure boiler Whenever needed. VrA vent 35 is providedVV on the iloat tank35. Y

To insure automatic control of the fuel burner under any and all conditions of operation from maximum heat or load condition, to minimum or re-out condition, my invention contemplates controlling the operation of the fuel burner in response to the temperature of the fire delivered by the fuel burner as shown by minimum boiler temperature. This temperature is indicated by control valve 48, room temperature as exhibited by a thermostat 49, and temperature of the service hot water system as exhibited by a control valve 3|. It will thus be observed that any one of the three control valves will maintain the automatic fuel burning mechanism in operation Whenever necessary and operate the same with a minimum consumption of fuel for the amount of heat required. For example, the control valves 3|, 48 and thermostat 49 are connected directly to the control valve 20 by means of connections 32, 50 and 5I respectively and thus it will be obvious that the admission of high pressure motive fluid to the fuel burner turbine I2 is constantly under the control of any one or all of these separate demands for heat ordinarily furnished by the low pressure boiler I0 of the household heating type. Of course it is understood that the low pressure boiler may be of the hot Water or steam type.

It frequently happens that during the Warm Weather or other occasions when there is a lesser demand for heat by the several agencies, it is desirable to maintain the pressure of steam generated by the high pressure boiler so as to have power always available to operate the burner and this is effected by connecting the minimum pressure regulator I9 directly to the control valve 20. Thus when the pressure of steam in the high pressure boiler drops to a predetermined minimum pressure, the minimum pressure regulator I9 will function and open valve 20 to admit steam to the turbine I2. This arrangement is particularly desirable when a solid fuel bed is maintained by the Stoker so that the fire shall never be allowed to die out through infrequent demands for heat. Since the minimum pressure regulator I9 is actuated independently of the control devices 3|, 48 and 49, it serves to effectively operate the stoker fuel and air feeding devices just enough to maintain the re and prevent it from dying out.

Automatic fuel feeding devices of the character described are frequently intermittently operated so as to produce heat in accordance with the Wide range of requirements for heat and in order to provide for a constant and economical operation of the turbine I2. Another feature of my invention is to provide a further auxiliary control device for the high pressure boiler which shall operate independently of the other controls. This control system provides for mounting the boiler I4 so that it may be moved into and out of the intense heat of the fuel bed in response to the pressure generated.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the boiler is pivotally mounted upon suitable hollow trunnions 52-52 which shall provide for passage of water to the boiler by conduit 38 and the delivery of steam therefrom by conduit I1, as heretofore described. The boiler is moved by a pressure piston diaphragm 53 rigidlyconnected thereto by a link 54. The other side of the diaphragm is exposed to the pressure in the steam pipe I1 by means of a conduit 55. Thus it will be noted that when a high pressure is developed in the boiler I4, it Will be moved away from the fire by movement of the diaphragm 53, and when the pressure falls, the boiler will be moved closer to the fire. This auxiliary control is particularly desirable in household heating furnaces where a relatively light lire is maintained and the demands for heat are not of such great volume. In other words the movement of the high pressure boiler is controlled directly by the presure of steam within it, and the boiler being located very close to the fire when the pressure is low, it will developV sufficient high pressure to operate the turbine and move away from the i-lre before any appreciable surplus pressure is generated.

One great advantage of an automatic fuel feeding system constructed and arranged as described is that the self contained steam operated unit functions independently of any outside source of power. Electric motors, for example, must depend upon a source of electric current which sometimes fails during storms. Furthermore, steam equipment is free from any kind of Yelectrical trouble such as burning out of motors and transformers, replacement of brushes, etc. Another important feature in a steam plant is the utilization of all heat energy of the fuel consumed to the maximum efficiency and economical advantage.

While I have shown the arrangement for a solid fuel stoker furnace, it is obvious that it may be employed with equal facility in the operation of fluid fuel burner, In this case, the exhaust steam from the turbine would be of primary importance in preheating the fuel oil to prevent congealing in the supply tank as well as preheating it for immediate delivery to the burner, and thereby eliminate many cf the faults and disadvantages frequently experienced in the operation of such burners.

While I have shown the high pressure boiler pivotally mounted over the fuel burner and operated in response to the pressure thereto, it is obvious that the ilre temperature admitted to the high pressure boiler may be controlled in other ways, as for example, by a movable baille e located between the fuel burner ii and the high pressure boiler lil, and movable in response to the fluid presure generated therein, Fig. 4. In this illustrative embodiment of my invention, the boiler I4 is mounted stationary above the fuel burner ll and the baille 55 of refractory material is pivotally mounted on a suitable bearing E@ by a lever 5l connected to the pressure diaphragm 53 which is actuated by high presure steam admitted through the conduit 55. In this particular showing of the baille it is raised to permit the full effect of the flre on the boiler coils l5, and when a high pressure is developed the diaphragm 53 is expanded and thereby acts on lever 5l to move the baille 56 over the fire and out 01T the heat to the boiler and thus diminish the generation of heat in the high pressure boiler.

What I claim is:

l. The combination of a low pressure heating furnace, a fuel burner, a fluid pressure motor for operating the burner, a high pressure generator located within the furnace for supplying motive fluid to said motor, a heating system connected to the exhaust of said motor, and means operated in response to the temperature of the heating system to control the admission of motive fluid to the motor.

2. Apparatus of the character described in claim l, including another heating system connected to the furnace for heating a room, and means for controlling the admission of fluid to the fluid pressure motor in response to the room temperature effected by the second heating system independently of said first-mentioned heating system.

3. The combination With a boiler furnace, of

for said furnace, a fluid pressure motor for operating said fuel burner, a fluid pressure generator located in said boiler furnace for supplying motive fluidV to said motor and means for conducting the exhaust of said fluid pressure motor through the hot water heater.

5. The combination with a boiler furnace, of a household heating system supplied thereby, a fuel burner for said furnace, a fluid pressure motor for operating said burner, a fluid pressure 'r generator located in said furnace for supplying motive fluid to said motor and means associated with said heating system for controlling the admission of fluid to said motor in response to the temperature of the boiler independently of the requirements of said heating system.

6. The combination with a boiler furnace, of a plurality of independent temperature responsive units connected thereto, an automatic fuel burner for supplying air and fuel to said furnace, a fluid pressure motor for operating said burner, a high pressure boiler associated with said burner for supplying motive fluid to said motor, and control means associated with said burner for individually controlling the admission of motive iluid to the motor in accordance with heat requirements for any one of said units.

7. The combination of a heating boiler, a fuel burner therefor, a fluid pressure motor for operating the burner, a high pressure generator for supplying motive fluid to said motor, means for admitting fluid to said motor in response to the load on said boiler, and means actuated by minimum pressure on said high pressure generator to admit motive fluid to said motor independently of the load on said boiler.

8. In a heating system for a compartment, the combination of a boiler furnace for supplying a heating medium to a heating means for said compartment, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace, a fluid pressure motor for operating the stoker including a high pressure generator located within the furnace, a second heating system connected to the exhaust of said motor and a control means responsiveto the temperature of either or both heating systems for regulating the admission of motive fluid to the stoker motor.

9. Apparatus of the character described in claim 8 including valve means actuated by the temperature of the second heating system for directing the exhaust from the fluid pressure motor to the compartment heating system.

l0. Apparatus of the character described in claim 8 including valve means actuated by the temperature of the second heating system for directing exhaust from the fluid pressure motor into the boiler furnace to communicate heat directly to the compartment heating system.

1l. The combination with a low pressure heating furnace, of an automatic Stoker for maintaining a fuel bed therein, a fluid pressure motor for operating the Stoker, a high pressure generator located Within the furnace for supplying motive fluid to the motor, a heating system connected to the exhaust of said motor, means operated in response to the temperature of the heating system to control the admission of motive fluid to the motor, and means for directing the exhaust of the high pressure generator into the low pressure heating furnace independently of any operation of the stoker control devices.

l2. The combination with a rebox, of a fuel burner therefor, a high pressure generator 1ocated adjacent to said burner, a fluid pressure motor connected to said generator for operating said fuel burner, a heating system connected to the exhaust of said fluid pressure motor, a valve located in said generator connection and operatively connected to a control means so responsive to the temperature of said heating system as to regulate the admission of motive iiuid to said motor in response to the temperature of said heating system, and a pressure device responsive to a predetermined minimum pressure in said generator and operatively connected to the control valve in such a manner that the control Valve shall be actuated to admit motive iiuid to the fluid pressure motor independently of the control means responsive to the heating system when said predetermined minimum pressure obtains.

13. The combination with a tire-box; of a Stoker for maintaining a fuel bed therein, a fluid pressure motor for operating the stoker, a movably mounted high pressure generator located adjacent to the fuel bed and connected to the motor for supplying motive fluid to the same, means for moving the generator toward and from the fuel bed in response to, respectively, a decrease and an increase of the pressure generated therein, and means located in the generator connection for controlling the operation of the stoker motor including an interconnected throttle valve and a pressure device so responsive to a predetermined minimum pressure in said generator that the throttle valve shall be opened to admit motive uid to the motor when said predetermined minimum pressure obtains in said generator.

HAROLD V. STURTEVAN'I. 

